Report

Luke Norris’ late penalty saw Whites draw with their League Two opponents at a rain-soaked Crabble on Saturday.

The striker converted from 12 yards to cancel out Michael Woods first-half volley as Andy Hessenthaler’s men extended their unbeaten pre-season run to eight matches.

Inih Effiong had the first chance of note, but his shot from Josh Passley’s pass was well blocked by Luke Prosser.

Andre Hassanly and Luke Gambin both then went for goal for the visitors, but their efforts were no trouble for home stopper Yusuf Mersin.

Effiong went for glory from 30-yards, but his long-ranger held by visiting keeper Dean Gergen.

At the other end, Frank Nouble beat the offside trap, but Mersin turned his effort wide for a corner.

Gerken then dived low to paw away Passley’s strike, with the follow-up from Steven Rigg blocked by the away defence.

Colchester thought they had the lead on 36 minutes.

Harry Pell headed in Ben Stevenson’’s cross but was ruled offside by the referee’s assistant.

With half-time five minutes away, Mersin clutched onto Nouble’s rasping shot and it was instead the home side who took the lead just before the break.

Cries for a handball in the area were waved away, but the appeals quickly turned to celebrations as Woods volleyed the ball into the ground and into the net.

Nouble played in Hassanaly to round Mersin, but the Colchester youngster saw his shot blocked by Passley.

Mersin was called into action again, this time stretching to reach sub Luke Norris’ angled effort.

But Norris had the final say after Bilel Hinchiri fouled Courtney Senior in the area and the striker sent Mersin the wrong way.

Whites next host Millwall on Monday 29th July, kick-off 7:30 pm, in their final friendly of pre-season ahead of their National League campaign.

Dover:  Mersin, Passley, Taylor, Lokko (c), De Havilland, Cumberbatch (Gobern 74), Woods (Hinchiri 46), Munns, Reason, Effiong (Modeste 70), Rigg (Pavey 62).

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”322″ gal_title=”DAFC v Colchester United 27/7/19″]